Bookkeeping machine



BOOKKEEPING MACHINE Original Filed Jan. 29, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet l I June 1934- l. NICHOLSON, JR. 1,963,445

BOOKKEEPING MACHINE Original Filed Jan. 29, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 .I/YI 0110/. 601 .71

June 19, 1934. I w. NICHOLSON, JR 1,963,445

BOOKKEEPING MACHINE Original Filed Jan. 29, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet s V 7 V V V is: 15;

June 19, 1934. w. NICHOLSON, J

BOOKKEEPING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed Jan. 29, 1927 J1me 1934. w. l. NICHOLSON, JR 71,963,445

BOOKKEEPING MACHINE Original Filed Jan. 29, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented June 19,

nooxxaarmo' MACHINE wuuamr. lilicholsomln', Tulsa, one.

' Application I 24 claims- This invention relates to bookkeeping machines.

1 in important object of the invention resides in the provision of a device in which any chosen record can be selected from a group of records,

- 5 and positioned with respect to" a recording mechanism whereby one or more duplicates of an entry can be mechanically recorded on one or more records simultaneously with the original entry on an entirely diiferent record. f

Another important objectof the invention resides in the provision of a device of the foregoing character in which an original entry either alone or simultaneously with a duplicate entry can be recorded on any selected record to the exclusion of duplicates on separate records.

A further object is to provide a group of record holders suitably indexed for selective use as platens for a recording mechanism. I

Another object is to provide a novel selector mechanism for selecting any desired object from a group for use either alone or in conjunction with any kind of machine to act upon said object.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

" plication, and wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the several views: a

Figure-l is a plan view of the machine. I

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section through the same. I

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the selector mechanism.

Figure 4 is a scattered view of part of the selector mechanism. I I Figure 5 is an enlargedfragmentary perspective view illustrating the manner of locking an account holder to atypewriter carriage.

Figure 6 is a vertical section of the same on the line 6- 6 of Figure 5.

Figure '1 is a fragmentary section'of an account holder.

Figure 8 is a front writer carriage. I a

Figure 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the 'type lever actuating mechanism. I

Figure 10 is a side el vation of the same, and Figure 11 is an enlarged detail section of one of the index buttons'forming a part of the selector mechanism.

In order that the invention may ily understood, I will preface thedetail description with a general description of the machine and the functions it is adapted to accomplish.

taken In the drawings forming a part of this applan of an auxiliary type be more read- January 29, 1927, Serial so, 164,594" I Renewed' November 25, 1932 I I (CU Referring to Figure l typewriter A of'the construction is mounted 'on a suitable support or desk top and has its .type lever actuating mechanism connected to the type leveractuating mechanisins ofv a pair of auxiliarytypewriters' B andC, I

located at either'side a: the "central or master typewriter A to the rear thereof, and atthe forward .end of ways D and'E, whereby actuation of, the master, typewriter will simultaneously actuate corresponding type levers of the auxiliary typewritersBandC. To the rear of the mastertypewriter, a group F of records or individual ledger'accounts are positioned to be arranged between the two ways D and E so that the account selected for entries may 10 be transferredinto the ways for movement into the cooperative relation with the auxiliary typewriters to receiveentries therefrom. Each record or account consists of the usual ledger sheet, movable into-cooperative relation with the auxil- 76 iary typewriter B'forthe debit entries, and'into' a similar relationtothe auxiliary typewriter C for the credit entries simultaneously with the entry made by the master typewriter A on the Journal. 80

A selector mechanism is provided for each auxiliary typewriter for positioning the record in cooperative relation. with either of the auxiliary typewriters to receive impressions therefrom, and includes a selective index 0 for the auxiliary typewriter B located to the left of themastertypewriter, and a selective index H for the auxiliary typewriter C located, to the right of the master typewriter, which are employed to set the machine f or the selection ofgthe account upon which it is desired to make entries. In this particular illustration of the invention, the auxiliary typewriter B is employed for recording "accounts receivable" and'the auxiliary typewriter C is employed for recording "sales, while, of course, the master typewriter is employed for posting both items as well as remarks upon a loose leaf of a journal.

Afterv an account in the group-F has been semo lected by either of the indexes G and H and moved writer A, it will be seen that "simultaneous posting in the journal and on the ledger sheet may be accomplished by actuation of the master typewriter. In other words, both debit and credit entries may be posted atthe same time on difup ferent records as for instance, it may be desired to post the following entry:

Debit-Donations $100.00 5 Credit-Vouchers payable $100.00

Dec. 30, 1926-Voucher F 65. $100.00

The above written on the master typewriter will have recorded through the medium of the auxiliary typewriter on the left a debit of $100.00 to donations account, and through the medium of the auxiliary typewriter H, a credit of $100.00

to vouchers payable account, together with the date and voucher number on each account, which is all the information necessary to be posted to the ledger account. The account holders will then be returned to their proper places in the group F. Additional details will be required on the journal sheet, and this is then posted thereon, the keys of the auxiliary typewriters striking against the bare platens. Such additional details will be filled in by writing in the space provided for account names on the journals and offsetting the figures $100.00 written in as outlined above, the account name Donations and, after spacing, the account name Vouchers payable and the figures $100.00 in the credit column on the journal sheet, and in the explanation column will be written Donations to Red Cross.

The accounts F are all arranged in vertical po- I sitions, one behind the other in a suitable partitioned or grooved rack 15 arranged on a support or desk top behind the master typewriter A. In order to select any desired account for position- 1 ing parts of the same in cooperative relation to the auxiliary typewriters, the selective indexes G and H are provided, each including as many indexed abutment keys or buttons 16 as there are individual accounts in the group F. I have illustrated sixty (60) keys for each selective index in the present modification, and it will be noted that these keys are arranged in twelve rows of five, extending longitudinally of the machine, and that the buttons of adjacent rows are arranged in staggered relationship, so that abutments for the selector mechanism may be disposed at different distances from the group of records F. The

arrangement of the abutments 16 of the selective index G are arranged and numbered thus; whereby the rows transversely of the keyboard will individually contain all numeralsending with the same figure:

60 .50 so 2o 10 59 49 av 29 is o as 48 a as 2s 18 s 57 41 m 27 17 7 5e 40 as 2a 10 o 45 as as 15 5 54 I 44 a4 24 14 4 53 43 as 23 1a 1 a s2 42 a2 22 12 2 s1 41 a1 21 n 1 The arrangement and numbermg of the index buttons for, the selective index H is just the reverse of the above with the numbering beginning at the left of the index H. The keys or buttons 16 of each row transversely of the keyboard are arranged in stepped or banked relation as shown best in Figure 2, in the same manner that the keys of a typewriter are arranged. One of these buttons 16 is shown clearly in Figure 11, and as all of them are of like construction, a description of one will sufllce.

The stem 17 of each button is slidably mounted in a vertical socket 18 in the frame of the machine, and is provided with a yielding detent 19 for cooperation with a pair of recesses 20 in the wall of the socket 18 for retaining the button in a raised position, as shown in full lines in Figure 11, or a depressed position as shown in dotted lines, so that its lower end 21 forms an abutment for another part of the selector mechanism, to be hereinafter described. In order to raise the depressed buttons 16 from their lowered positions, a button elevating mechanism 22 is provided for each selective index 0 and H, and consists of a vertically movable guided plate 23 positioned beneath each selective index and provided with a plurality of upstanding pins 24 arranged in the same manner as the stems 17 of the buttons thereabove, and in alignment therewith, so that upon elevation of the plate 23, any buttons 16 which are depressed will be raised to the position shown in full lines in Figure 11. Thus, the buttons 16 may be returnedto their normal positions. The plate or head 23 is provided with a pin and slot connection with a lever 25 fulcrumed on the frame and equipped with an upstanding handle portion 26. Upon depression of the handle portion 26, the lever 25 will move the plate 23 vertically upon suitable guides 7 provided in a recessed portion 28 of the frame.

It will be understood that the selective index buttons 16 are provided to limit the movement of selector mechanisms movable longitudinally in each of the ways D and E, this selector mechanism comprising in part a finder plate 29, as best seen in Figures 3 and 4. This finder plate 29 is arranged vertically for sliding movement in its guideway and is provided with an elongated horizontally disposed slot 30 extending substantially the entire length of the plate for a purpose which will be presently described.

Extending forwardly from the finder plate 29 is a U-shaped frame 31, the free ends of the frame being secured to the finder plate while the bridge portion is disposed a substantial distance forwardly thereof, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3, and is provided with a plurality of forwardly extending pins or rods 32 which are arranged in groups of two,-the pins of a group being of the same length, and each pair being a little longer than the adjacent pair; the shortest of these pins being arranged at the right side of the U- I shaped frame 31. The distance between each. pin 32 is the same as the distance between the rows of buttons 16 for cooperation therewith in limiting the movement of the finder plate 29 along 185 its way D or E to arrive substantially opposite the selected account or record in the group F. Thus, if one of the buttons 16 of the selective index G in the first row to the right of the index is depressed, it will be disposed in the path of.140 movement of the first pin 32 to the right of the frame 31, so that when this frame is moved forwardly, the pin 32 will abut the depressed button 16 and bring the finder plate 29 substantially opposite the chosen account in the group F. Extending forwardly from the frameand parallel to the pins.32 is an elongated actuator rod 33 terminating in a handle 1 forwardly of the selective index, as shown best in Figure 1, to be readily accessible to the operator.

Moved forwardly with the finder plate 29 is an account advancer 34 which is adapted to move and is provided with a laterally extending hook 37 which is adapted to cooperate with the carriage of the auxiliary typewriter, aswill be more fully explained hereinafter. Any suitable anti-fric- .tion means may be provided for facilitating the movement of the upper section 36.

This upper section 36 is made to move relative to the lower section 35 so that the upper-section can move with the typewriter carriage when,

moved up into-cooperative relation therewith, while the lower part 35 remains stationary because it is-prevented from-partaking of corresponding movement by its operating means for bringing the advancer forward. a

The lower section ,35 of the advancer is provided at its lower edge with a forwardly extending flange 38 or trough which is arranged in a plane Just slightly lower than the lower edges of the account holders constituting the group F, so that these holders may be slid into the trough 38 of the advancer, suitable-anti-friction means being provided if found desirable. This lower section 35 is also provided with a horizontalelongated slot 39 extending lengthwiseihereof and opening out into the outer edge of the lower section, as best seen in Figures 3 and4. This slot 39 is in alignment with the slot 30 of the finder plate 29 for the passage of a horizontally extending portion 40 of a transfer pin 41; this horizontal portion of the pin extending through the slots 30 and 39,. and terminating in a head behind the finder plate, so as to be permanently associated there-' with, and yet may move out of the slot 39 and clear an offset portion 42 of an actuating rod 43 of the advancer 34 to permit the advancerv to be moved with the selected account up to the auxilia'ry typewriter without moving the finder plate longitudinally, but permitting the finder to remain in a position to cooperate in returning the account to the group F after the desired entries have been made. This actuator rod 43 extends forwardly of the machine to terminate in a handle 3 forwardly of the selective index in an accessible position to the operator ofthe master typewriter.

It is to be noted that the rod 43 is connected to 1 the side of the lower section of the advancer 34 and is offset as at 42 to permit transverse movement of the upper section of an account holder, as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

The group F of records comprises a plurality of account or ledger sheet holders-44, each of which consists of relatively movable sections 45 and 46, the upper section 45 being telescoped over the lower section 46 and being movable vertically thereof by a line spacing lever 47 on an auxiliary typewriter carriage 64 cooperating with ratchet teeth 49 formed on the marginal edge of the upper section 45, as clearly shown in Figure 7; the line spacing of the upper section being maintained by its inner corrugated surface 50 cooperating with bowed springs 51 secured to the edge of the lower section 46. This upper section of the ledger sheet holder is provided with suitable clips 46 for securing a larger sheet to the forward face thereof. As will be evident from Figures-5 and 7, the telescoping of the upper section 45 over the lower section 46, provides the upper section 45 with end walls which prevent relative horizontal movement between the sections 45 and 46.

The lower section of each ledger sheet holder is provided with a laterally extending hook 52 which projects through a slot in the end of the upper section 45 to cooperate with the hook 37 of thev advancer 34 in becoming automatically locked in engagement with the auxiliary typewriter carriage to partake of movement corresponding to the carriage as will be more fully explained. The hooks 52 on both the debit and credit record holders extend in the same direction and from the same ends of these holders so that either the debit or credit record holders can be coupled to the carriages of either auxiliary typewriters B or C. The lower .edge of the lower section of each account holder is provided with a pair of vertical notches 53 located adjacent the sides thereof, one notch being employed for the debit side of the machine, and the other for the selector mechanism of the credit side. The notches 53 of all ofthe account holders 44 are arranged in alignment longitudinally of the machine for .the passage of an offset portion 54 of an arm 55 secured to the transfer pin 41 of each transfer mecha nismf The offset 54 is sufiicient to make the arm 55 and transfer pin clear the flange ortrough 38 of the advancer plate when the trans- It'will be understood that a transfer pin 41 is provided for each side of the machine, and since the transfer mechanism for the debit side is the same as that of the credit side, a description of one will suflice for both. Each transfer pin 41 is adapted to extend through an elongated slot 56 provided along one margin of transfer plate 57, which is movable from under the group F of account holders transversely of the machine and under the finder andadvancer plates 29 and 34 respectively. The actuating mechanism for each transfer plate 5'1 consists of a bell crank lever 58 fulcrumed upon the supporting structure, as at 59, and has an elongated arm terminating ,in an upstanding pin 60 operating in an elongated slot 61 of the transfer plate to move the same transversely of the machine. The other arm 62 of the bell crank is pivotally connected to a rod 63 extending forwardly of the machine and terminating in a handle 2 in front of the selective index mechanism within convenient reach of the operator. It will thus be seen that forward movement of the rod 63 at the left of the machine on the debit side will move the transfer plate 5'1 to the left of Figure 3 beneath the finder and advancer plates forming part of the selector mechamsm.

The operation of the machine thus far described is as follows: I

A button 16 of the selective index G corresponding to the chosen ledger sheet holder of the group F is depressed so as to dispose the lower portion of this button in the path of movement of the proper rod 32 so that when the handle 1 of the finder plate is moved forwardly, the finder plate 29 will stop substantially opposite the chosen debit account holder 44. This movement of the finder plate will likewise move the advancer mechanism 34 to a position directly opposite the selected account holder 44 so that the trough or flange 38 is in a position to receive the account holder. The forward movement of the finder plate 29 and the advancer 34 will move the offset portion 54 of the pin 41 through the notches in the grouped ac-, count holders 44, so that it will stop with this offset portion engaged with the selected account holder 44, and out of contact with the adjacent account;holders. Then, by pulling the handle 2 of the transfer mechanism, the bell crank 58 will be swung on its pivot to move the transfer plate 57 to the left of Figure. 3, carrying with it the transfer pin 41, which in,turn will drag the selected account holder 44 into the trough 38 as the offset portion of the transfer pin moves through the slots 30 and 39 of the finder and advancer to such an extent that the offset portion 40 of the transfer pin will become disengaged from the advancer 34, and permit the advancer being moved forward with the selected account to position the latter in cooperative relation to the auxiliary typewriter to receive impressions therefrom upon actuation of the master typewriter A. The credit side of themachine is operated in exactly the same manner to bring the account holder with the proper ledger sheet into cooperative relation with the auxiliary typewriter C. When the account holders are moved into the troughs 38 of the advancer 34, the hook 52 of the account holders .willbe brought into alignment with the hooks 37 of the advancer for cooperative relation with a latch mechanism carried by the auxiliary typewriter carriages, which will now be discussed.

The carriage mechanism on the master typewriter A is of the well known usual construction, and has suitable connections with the carriages 64 of the two auxiliary type mechanisms B and C so that actuation of the carriage of the 1 manner. Each of the auxiliary typewriter carriages is provided withrack bar 65 to cooperate with an escapement on each auxiliary typewriter, 40'

whichis-actuated by the escapement of the master typewriter to feed the carriages transversely of the type levers in step by step fashion. It will be noted that the two auxiliary type mechan'sms B and C are located at the forward ends of the ways D and E adjacent the left hand side thereof so that the account holders will present the ledger sheets to these type mechanisms, with their proper columns in correct position to receve impressions from the auxiliary type mechanisms. Each auxiliary typewriter has a carriage 64 which is mounted upon rollers 66 to travel on a suitable'track G'lextending transversely of the machine. Each of the auxiliary typewriter carriages is also provided with a roller spring 68 for moving the same to the leftupon operation of escapement.

writer carriage 64 is provided at its left side with means for locking both the advancer 34 and acarm'71adapted to hook over hooks 37 and 52 of the advancer and account holders respectively. The other end of the latch 69 is provided with a handle portion 72, by which the latch may be disengaged from the hooks 3'7 and 52 to re-' lease the advancer and account holde'rafteri the proper entries have been made, and the'account holder is to be restored to its originalilofcat 'on in the group F. A spring 73 abuts the latch 69and a projection 74 of the bracket carried 'h'y="the-1 carriage for normally retaining the hook 71 of the latch in engagement with the hooks 37 and 52,

the

wardly, the hooks 3'! and 52 will cause the latch 69 to become automatically locked therewith, so as to lock the upper section 36 of the advancer, and the account holder 44 to the carriage to partake of. the same movements thereof in making entries upon the ledger sheet. With the parts in this position, it will be seen that the line spacing lever 4'1 may be operated to cooperate with the ratchet teeth49 of the upper section 45 of the account holder to move the ledger sheet attached thereto vertically for line spacing, as the entries are made. The springs 51 of the lower section of the account holder will maintain the newly adjusted relationship between the two sections 45 and 46 so that the account holder may be returned to the group F with the upper section adjusted so that when it is again moved up to the type mechanism, it will be in proper position to immediately continue entries on the next succeeding lineof the ledger sheet. After the entries have been completed, the rod 43 of the advancer is pushed rearwardly. At the same time, the latch 69 is disengaged from the books 37 and 52, thereby releasing the account holder and advancer from the carriage and permitting these two elements to be moved rearwardly until they abut the finder plate 29 which has been left in a position opposite the proper location for the account holder in the group. It will be remembered that the transfer pin with its offset arm 54 was left in its position of release from the account holder, so that upon return of the account holder 44 to the finder plate 29,- the notch 53 in the account holder will move over the offset portion 54 of the transfer pin so that upon inward'movement of the rod 63, the transfer plate 57 will be moved to the right causing the offset portion 40 of the transfer pin to ride in the slot 39 of the advancer and slide the account holder back into its original location among the group of holders F, with the offset portion 54 of the transfer pn still in line with the aligned notches 53 of the various account holders, so that upon subsequent selection of a chosen account holder,

the offset portion 54 of thetransfer plnwill move longitudinally through the group of account As shown best in Figure 5, each auxil'ary typeholders, and stop'in engagement with the one selected by the selective indexes G or H. The

operation of the selector mechanism for the.

credit and debit; sides of the machine isfexactly the same, and consequently, from aJfdescrip tion of one, the constructio the other will be obvious.

The master typewriter A em ioyedintc niune-fl tion with ths' invention employs iemag n ng only capital letters of the'alphabtii nine 1(9) ordinals from 2 to Qand-Qgwith-aiidfih key'at the end of theordina'lrow number symbol, at

the end of the first row of ie.tterzi a'idolldi mark at the end of thesecondrow of lettersfiandva; period and a fraction lineat"the' endiofthe'third row of letters. 'Ihe-keyflevers-ahd'styDof theauxiliary: typesne'chanisms and C- =cy'a'rresp'ond inte to thoseofthefmaste'ntypewriter anglar Figures 9 and '16,

The invention contemplates the provision of .a number of oscillatory rods or shafts 74 mounted to the rearof the master typewriter and extended beneath the two auxiliary typewriters. Each of these rods 74 is provided with a forwardly extending arm 75 which has a pin and slot connection with an intermediate member 7.6,fulcrumed at 77 in the master typewriter, and the opposite end of this intermediate lever has a pin and slotconnection with a key lever 78 of the master typewriter, which is fulcrumed thereon at 79. Depression of any of the keys of the master typewriter turns the rods or shafts 74 to which the keys are connected through the system of levers just described.

Each of these oscillatory rods '74 is also pro vided beneath each auxiliary typewriter with an arm 80 extending in the same direction asthe arm 75. To the free end of each of the arms 80 is pivotally connected a link 81, the other end of which has a pin connection with an arcuate slot in an auxiliary-key lever 82 fulcrumed'at 83, and provided with an escapement operating extension 84 in the usual manner, so that an outward and downward movement of the link 81 will swing the type lever 82 on its fulcrum to make.

an impact against the platen formed by 'the account holder. Each of the auxiliary typewriter keys 82 is provided with a loop 85 to which key fasteners, not shown, may be shifted, thus eliminating contact which forces type keys up and forward when the master typewriter A is oper: ated. This will permit of writing an explanation on the journal and only on one or either of the accounts on the right or left. This obviously provides for rendering either or both of the auxiliary typewriters B and C inoperative so that individual remarks may be posted. upon either ledger sheet simultaneously with the posting on the journal sheet, or 'both auxiliarytypewriter key levers may be prevented from movement topermit individual remarks to' be posted on the journal sheet to the exclusion of the ledger sheets associated with the auxiliary typewriters.

Although I have referred to the various type mechanisms as typewriters, it1is to be understood that it is within the scope of my invention to employ the invention in conjunction withany kind of recording mechanism, and furthermore, that the invention may'be employed to advantage when used in conjunction with one recording mechanism. various changes in the construction and arrangement of parts may be res'orted 'to without departing from the spirit of the invention .or the scope of the appended claims.

I-claim:

1. The combination with a recording mechanism, a group of record holders, each record holder comprising upper and lower relatively movable parts, said upper part having means for. attaching a record sheet'thereto, ratchet teeth carried by said upper-part, means for selecting any one of said record holders and positioning the same ment with the lower part of the selected record holder, and a line spacing lever carried by said i carriage for cooperation with the. ratchet teeth of said record holder.

2. In a} device of the class described, the com-- bination with a master recording mechanism and auxiliary recording mechanisms 011* each side 'operatively connected for simultaneous operation It is v"also to be understood that therewith, ways extending to said auxiliary mechanisms, a group of record holders arranged between said ways, and an indexed selector mechincluding ,abutments arranged for movement into the path of the stepped abutments to position the selector means to receive a desired record holder. transfer means for movinga selected recordholder from said group to said selector means and for restoring the same to said group, said selector means having means toposition the selected record holder in cooperative relation to said recording mechanism, and means for removing said index abutments from the path of said stepped abutments. I

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a recording mechanism, a group of record holders, holder selector means including projecting pins of different Ien'gthsselective index means including indexed abutments arranged ,;in rows spaced apart the same distance as the distance between said pins to position the selector meansto receive a desired record holder,

transfer means for moving a selected record holder'frorn said group to said selector means and for restoring the same to said group, and the selector means being adapted to positionfa selected record holder to receive an impression upon its record from said recording mechanism.

5. In a device of theclass described, the combination of a recording 'mechanism,-a group of record holders, selector means including a finder havmgrelative movable transfer means engageable with all of said holder s of said group and adapted to engage a selected record holder to the exclusion of the others, said finder being adapted to remain in its position of selection for the return of said record'holder to said group, and an advancer movable with said finder to the point of selection and movable independently thereof to position said record holder to cooperate -with said recording mechanism.

6. Ina device of the class described, the com bination with a recording mechanism, a group of record holders, advancer means forpositioning selected holders in cooperative relation to said recording mechanism, selector means for. moving said advancer means to apoint of selection,

said selector means including a finder having relatively movable means engageable with all of said holders and adapted to engage the selected ,record holder to the exclusion of the others, transfer means for moving said relatively movable means to position the selected record holder in cooperation with said advancer means, and said finder remaining stationary upon movement of said advancer means whereby to cooperate in restoring the selected record holder to itsoriginal location insaid group.

7. In a device of the class described, a recording mechanism, a group of,record holders, an

advancer forreceiving and wpositioning selected holders i n cooperative relation to said recording mechanism, a finder for movingsaid advancer to a point of selection, said finder having an elongated slot, a transfer pin movably associated with said slot to move a selected record holder from said group into engagement with said advancer, said transfer pin having means engageable with all of said holders of said group and adapted to engage the selected record holder to the exclusion cf the others, and a transfer plate cooperating with said transfer pin to remove a selected record holder from said group and to restore the same thereto.

8. In a device of the class described, a recording mechanism, a group of record holders each having a notched edge, an advancer for receiving and positioning selected holders in cooperative relation to said recording mechanism, a finder having an elongated slot, said advancer movable with and independently of said finder and having an elongated slot in alignment with the slot of the finder and opening out into the edge of the advancer, a transfer pin associated with said slots of said finder and advancer, said transfer pin being disengageable from the slot of the advancer to permit independent movement of the latter, said transfer pin having a portion movable through the notches in said records and adapted to engage the notch of the selected record holder, and a transfer plate having connection with said transfer pin for moving the same to move the selected record holder into the advancer mechanism and to returnthe same to said group.

9. In a device of the class described, a' recording mechanism, a group of record holders each having a notched edge, an advancer for receivingand positioning selected holders in cooperative relation to said recording mechanism, a finder having an elongated slot, said advancer movable with and independently of said finder and havin an elongated slot in alignment with the slot of the finder and opening out into the edge of the advancer, a transfer pin associated with said slots of said finder and advancer, said transfer pin being disengageable from the slot of the advancer to permitindependent movement of the latter, said transfer pin having a portion movable through the notches in said records and adapted to engage the notch of the selected record holder, and a transfer plate having an elongated slot engageable with said transfer pin for moving the selected record holder into said advancer and returning the record to said group. I

10. In a machine of the class described, the

' combinatiom of a master recording mechanism,

an auxiliary recording mechanism located at either side thereof,- a group of record holders disposed in alignment with said master recording mechanism, ways arranged at opposite sides of said group of record holders and extending to said auxiliary recording mechanismsfand means for selectively positioning any of said I record holders in cooperative relation with said auxiliary mechanisms to receive impressions therefrom.

11. In a machine of the class described, the combination ofmaster and auxiliary typewriting machines, each having an individual set of type keys, a group of record holders, and means for selectively positioning any of said record holders in. cooperative relation with an auxiliary typewriting machine to receive impressions therefrom, said master typewriting machine being operable to make anindependent record of that produced by the auxiliary machine.

12. The combination with a recording mechanism including a carriage; a group of record holders, each holder comprising a supporting part and a relatively movable record holding part, means for adjusting and retaining said record-holding part in various positions with respect to said supporting part, means for selecting any one of said holders, means for positioning the holder in cooperative relation to the recording mechanism and including relatively movable parts, and means for coupling the movable parts of the positioning means and the record holder to said carriage to partake of its movements.

13. The combination with a recording mechanism, a group of record holders, each holder comprising a supporting part and a relatively movable record holding part, an advancer mechanism including relatively movable parts for advancing a selected holder up' to the recording mechanism, means for moving a selected holder into cooperative relation with said advancer mechanism, and means for coupling the relatively movable part of said advancer mechanism with said holder to cause their simultaneous movement.

14. The combinationwith a recording mechanism including a carriage, a group of record holdersgeach holder comprising a supporting part and a relatively movable record holding part, means for adjusting and retaining said record holding part in various positions with respect to said supporting part, an advancer mechanism including relatively movable parts for advancing advancer to partake; ofithe' carriage movements.

15. The combination with a recording mechanism, a group of record holders, each holder comprising a supporting-part and a relatively movable record holding part, an advancer mechanism including an upright plate having a horizontal trough, and means for moving a selected record holder into the trough of said advancer mechanism; 1 Y

1B. The combinationwith a recording mechanism including a carriage, a group ofrecord holders, each holder comprising a supporting part and 128 a-relatively movable record holding part, an ad-' vancer mechanism including a part having a horizontal trough for the reception of the supporting part of a selected-record holder, said advancer having a relatively movable part movable longitudinally thereof, means for moving a selected holder into said trough, and means for connect-' 'ing the record holder in said trough wlthmud carriage; I v p .17. The combination with'a recording mechanism, a group of record holders,.means for advancing' a' selected holder tothe recording'mech-' anism, said means being movably mounted-along one side of said group of holders, and selector means movable longitudinally ofthe group of'u holders and-operable to move a selected holder laterally into and out of said'advancing means.

18. The combinationwith a group of r&ord r holders having notches therein to define a pas-n sageway through the group, and a selector mov- 5 able through said passageway for cooperation withany of said record holders and movable substantially transversely of said passageway to remove a selected record holder from said group.

19. The combination with a group of record iz o' gitudinally through said holders having notches therein to de'finea passageway, and a selector including a swinging part, a rectilinearly movable part movable longitudie nally through said passageway, and a connection between said partsenabling said rectilinearly movable part to move independently of the swinging part for selecting a desired holder and to move concurrently with said swinging part but in a rectilinear path.

20. The combination of a group of record holders having notches therein to define a passageway, a selector mechanism comprising a plate disposed beneath the group and movable transversely thereof, said plate having ways therein, an actuator engaging one of said ways, a transfer member operating in another of said ways and having a portion operating in the passageway of the holders to engage a selected holder and remove it from the group upon operation of the actuator.

21. The combination with a group of record holders each having its lower edge notched said notches being aligned to define a passageway longroup, a member disposed beneath said group and movable laterally thereof, and an upstanding transfer pin movable with said member and relative to the same for movement through the passageway defined by the notches of said record holders for engagement with the selected holder and removal 01 same from said group. i

22. The combinationwith a group 0! record holders, holder selectormeans movable longitudinally of said group and having abutment means, a plurality of movable abutments independent of said group of record holders andspaced difierent distances from the group and movable into and out of the path oi the abutment of the selector means to place the same in position to engage the selected holder, and means for moving the selector means laterally of the group to remove the selected holder laterally from the group.

23. The combination with a group of record holders, holder selector means arranged for movement along one side of saidgroup and having an abutment, a plurality oi selector keys arranged diiferent distances from said group for selective abutment with the abutment of the selector means to place the same in position to engage the selected holders, and means for moving the selector means laterally of the group to move the selected holder laterally from said group.

24. The combination with a group of record holders, an advancer for receiving a selected holder, a finder for moving said advancer to a point of selection, transfer means movably associated with said finder for engagement with a selected holder, means for moving the transfer means relative to said finder for withdrawing the selected holder from said group and positioning the same in said advancer, and means for moving said advanoer independently of said finder.

WILLIAM I. NICHOLSON, JR. 

